Jesus gave his disciples the following rule (Matthew 10:32, 33 NET):
Whoever, then, acknowledges (ὁμολογήσει, a form of ὁμολογέω) me before people, I will acknowledge (ὁμολογήσω, another form of ὁμολογέω) before my Father in heaven.1 But whoever denies (ἀρνήσηται, a form of ἀρνέομαι) me before people, I will deny (ἀρνήσομαι, another form ἀρνέομαι) him also before my Father in heaven.2
This rule of ὁμολογέω and ἀρνέομαι is simple and easy to understand; its justice and fairness is self-evident. But Jesus didn’t follow this rule when Peter fell afoul of it (Matthew 26:31-35 NET):
Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’3 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter said to him, “If4 they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny (ἀπαρνήσῃ, a form of ἀπαρνέομαι) me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny5 (ἀπαρνήσομαι, another form of ἀπαρνέομαι) you.” And6 all the disciples said7 the same thing.
Jesus’ faith was in the literal truth of the prophetic scriptures, Zechariah 13:7 in particular here. Peter trusted his feelings. I have no doubt he was sincere. Peter was ready to make good on his boast, if only he could go down swinging (Matthew 26:51-54 NET):
But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword.8 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than9 twelve10 legions11 of angels right now? How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled (πληρωθῶσιν, a form of πληρόω)?”
Jesus’ concern was fulfilling scripture. Though Matthew, Mark and Luke would not name Peter, presumably while he was still alive, John did (John 18:10 NET):
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear.12 (Now the slave’s name was Malchus.)
Peter’s concern was fulfilling his own word. If Jesus rebuked me like this when I had decided to die fighting, it would take the starch out of my sails, to say the least. And that’s apparently what it did to Peter (Matthew 26:69-75 NET):
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A slave girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied (ἠρνήσατο, another form of ἀρνέομαι) it in front of them13 all: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” When he14 went out to the gateway, another slave girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man15 was with Jesus the Nazarene.” He denied (ἠρνήσατο, another form of ἀρνέομαι) it again with16 an oath, “I do not know the man!” After a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, “You really are one of them too – even your accent gives you away!” At that he began to curse,17 and he swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said:18 “Before the rooster crows, you will deny (ἀπαρνήσῃ, a form of ἀπαρνέομαι) me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
According to the rule of ὁμολογέω and ἀρνέομαι Jesus should deny Peter before his Father in heaven. Luke recorded what Jesus said to Peter in a bit more detail (Luke 22:31-34 NET):
“Simon,19 Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith (πίστις) may not fail.20 When you have turned back (ἐπιστρέψας, a form of ἐπιστρέφω), strengthen21 your brothers.” But Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not22 crow23 today until24 you have denied (ἀπαρνήσῃ, a form ἀπαρνέομαι) three times that you know25 me.”
Jesus, believing that He had received what He prayed, was confident that Peter’s faith would not fail despite his denial. And with the same foreknowledge that He prophesied Peter’s denial, Jesus prophesied Peter’s ἐπιστρέφω, his turning back. He assured Peter a place of service, to strengthen his brothers. I think it likely that the other disciples were Peter’s younger brothers. And though I have heard preaching that lamented that Peter didn’t buck up and play the man, I can’t imagine that the preachers actually wanted Peter to make Jesus’ prophetic word untrue.
As I look at this I wonder, is it special pleading of a special case or a formula that is repeated every time the Lord forgives sin? I lean toward the latter, though I’m hard-pressed to demonstrate why. In any case there is no denying what Peter became after he turned back and received the promised Holy Spirit.
Addendum: December 11, 2018
Tables of Matthew 10:32, 33; 26:31; 26:33; 26:35; 26:52, 53; John 18:10; Matthew 26:70-72; 26:74, 75; Luke 22:31, 32 and 22:34 comparing the NET and KJV follow.
|
Matthew 10:32, 33 (KJV) |
|
| “Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. | Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. |
| NET Parallel Greek | Stephanus Textus Receptus | |
| Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὁμολογήσω καγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν [τοῖς] οὐρανοῖς | πας ουν οστις ομολογησει εν εμοι εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων ομολογησω καγω εν αυτω εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις | πας ουν οστις ομολογησει εν εμοι εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων ομολογησω καγω εν αυτω εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις |
| But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven. | But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| ὅστις |δ᾿ ἂν| ἀρνήσηται με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀρνήσομαι καγὼ αὐτὸν ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν [τοῖς] οὐρανοῖς | οστις δ αν αρνησηται με εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων αρνησομαι αυτον καγω εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις | οστις δ αν αρνησηται με εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων αρνησομαι αυτον καγω εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις |
| NET Parallel Greek | Stephanus Textus Receptus | |
| Τότε λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· πάντες ὑμεῖς σκανδαλισθήσεσθε ἐν ἐμοὶ ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ, γέγραπται γάρ πατάξω τὸν ποιμένα, καὶ διασκορπισθήσονται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης | τοτε λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους παντες υμεις σκανδαλισθησεσθε εν εμοι εν τη νυκτι ταυτη γεγραπται γαρ παταξω τον ποιμενα και διασκορπισθησεται τα προβατα της ποιμνης | τοτε λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους παντες υμεις σκανδαλισθησεσθε εν εμοι εν τη νυκτι ταυτη γεγραπται γαρ παταξω τον ποιμενα και διασκορπισθησεται τα προβατα της ποιμνης |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν αὐτῷ· εἰ πάντες σκανδαλισθήσονται ἐν σοί, ἐγὼ οὐδέποτε σκανδαλισθήσομαι | αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω ει και παντες σκανδαλισθησονται εν σοι εγω ουδεποτε σκανδαλισθησομαι | αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω ει παντες σκανδαλισθησονται εν σοι εγω δε ουδεποτε σκανδαλισθησομαι |
| NET Parallel Greek | Stephanus Textus Receptus | |
| λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος· κὰν δέῃ με σὺν σοὶ ἀποθανεῖν, οὐ μή σε ἀπαρνήσομαι ὁμοίως καὶ πάντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπαν | λεγει αυτω ο πετρος καν δεη με συν σοι αποθανειν ου μη σε απαρνησομαι ομοιως και παντες οι μαθηται ειπον | λεγει αυτω ο πετρος καν δεη με συν σοι αποθανειν ου μη σε απαρνησωμαι ομοιως δε και παντες οι μαθηται ειπον |
|
Matthew 26:52, 53 (KJV) |
|
| Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. | Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| τότε λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· ἀπόστρεψον τὴν μάχαιραν σου εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῆς· πάντες γὰρ οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀπολοῦνται | τοτε λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αποστρεψον σου την μαχαιραν εις τον τοπον αυτης παντες γαρ οι λαβοντες μαχαιραν εν μαχαιρα απολουνται | τοτε λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αποστρεψον σου την μαχαιραν εις τον τοπον αυτης παντες γαρ οι λαβοντες μαχαιραν εν μαχαιρα αποθανουνται |
| Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? | Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| ἢ δοκεῖς ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι παρακαλέσαι τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ παραστήσει μοι ἄρτι πλείω δώδεκα λεγιῶνας ἀγγέλων | η δοκεις οτι ου δυναμαι αρτι παρακαλεσαι τον πατερα μου και παραστησει μοι πλειους η δωδεκα λεγεωνας αγγελων | η δοκεις οτι ου δυναμαι αρτι παρακαλεσαι τον πατερα μου και παραστησει μοι πλειους η δωδεκα λεγεωνας αγγελων |
|
John 18:10 (KJV) |
|
| Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear. (Now the slave’s name was Malchus.) | Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος ἔχων μάχαιραν εἵλκυσεν αὐτὴν καὶ ἔπαισεν τὸν τοῦ ἀρχιερέως δοῦλον καὶ ἀπέκοψεν αὐτοῦ τὸ ὠτάριον τὸ δεξιόν. (ἦν δὲ ὄνομα τῷ δούλῳ Μάλχος.) | σιμων ουν πετρος εχων μαχαιραν ειλκυσεν αυτην και επαισεν τον του αρχιερεως δουλον και απεκοψεν αυτου το ωτιον το δεξιον ην δε ονομα τω δουλω μαλχος | σιμων ουν πετρος εχων μαχαιραν ειλκυσεν αυτην και επαισεν τον του αρχιερεως δουλον και απεκοψεν αυτου το ωτιον το δεξιον ην δε ονομα τω δουλω μαλχος |
| Matthew 26:70-72 (NET) |
Matthew 26:70-72 (KJV) |
| But he denied it in front of them all: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” | But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. |
| NET Parallel Greek | Stephanus Textus Receptus | |
| ὁ δὲ ἠρνήσατο ἔμπροσθεν πάντων λέγων· οὐκ οἶδα τί λέγεις | ο δε ηρνησατο εμπροσθεν παντων λεγων ουκ οιδα τι λεγεις | ο δε ηρνησατο εμπροσθεν αυτων παντων λεγων ουκ οιδα τι λεγεις |
| When he went out to the gateway, another slave girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” | And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. |
| NET Parallel Greek | Stephanus Textus Receptus | |
| ἐξελθόντα δὲ εἰς τὸν πυλῶνα εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἄλλη καὶ λέγει τοῖς ἐκεῖ· οὗτος ἦν μετὰ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου | εξελθοντα δε αυτον εις τον πυλωνα ειδεν αυτον αλλη και λεγει τοις εκει και ουτος ην μετα ιησου του ναζωραιου | εξελθοντα δε αυτον εις τον πυλωνα ειδεν αυτον αλλη και λεγει αυτοις εκει και ουτος ην μετα ιησου του ναζωραιου |
| He denied it again with an oath, “I do not know the man!” | And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| καὶ πάλιν ἠρνήσατο μετὰ ὅρκου ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον | και παλιν ηρνησατο μεθ ορκου οτι ουκ οιδα τον ανθρωπον | και παλιν ηρνησατο μεθ ορκου οτι ουκ οιδα τον ανθρωπον |
| NET Parallel Greek | Stephanus Textus Receptus | |
| τότε ἤρξατο καταθεματίζειν καὶ ὀμνύειν ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον. καὶ εὐθέως ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν | τοτε ηρξατο καταναθεματιζειν και ομνυειν οτι ουκ οιδα τον ανθρωπον και ευθεως αλεκτωρ εφωνησεν | τοτε ηρξατο καταθεματιζειν και ομνυειν οτι ουκ οιδα τον ανθρωπον και ευθεως αλεκτωρ εφωνησεν |
| Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. | And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| καὶ ἐμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος τοῦ ρήματος Ἰησοῦ εἰρηκότος ὅτι πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με· καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἔξω ἔκλαυσεν πικρῶς | και εμνησθη ο πετρος του ρηματος του ιησου ειρηκοτος αυτω οτι πριν αλεκτορα φωνησαι τρις απαρνηση με και εξελθων εξω εκλαυσεν πικρως | και εμνησθη ο πετρος του ρηματος του ιησου ειρηκοτος αυτω οτι πριν αλεκτορα φωνησαι τρις απαρνηση με και εξελθων εξω εκλαυσεν πικρως |
| NET Parallel Greek | Stephanus Textus Receptus | |
| Σίμων Σίμων, ἰδοὺ ὁ σατανᾶς ἐξῃτήσατο ὑμᾶς τοῦ σινιάσαι ὡς τὸν σῖτον | ειπεν δε ο κυριος σιμων σιμων ιδου ο σατανας εξητησατο υμας του σινιασαι ως τον σιτον | ειπεν δε ο κυριος σιμων σιμων ιδου ο σατανας εξητησατο υμας του σινιασαι ως τον σιτον |
| but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” | But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| ἐγὼ δὲ ἐδεήθην περὶ σοῦ ἵνα μὴ ἐκλίπῃ ἡ πίστις σου· καὶ σύ ποτε ἐπιστρέψας στήρισον τοὺς ἀδελφούς σου | εγω δε εδεηθην περι σου ινα μη εκλειπη η πιστις σου και συ ποτε επιστρεψας στηριξον τους αδελφους σου | εγω δε εδεηθην περι σου ινα μη εκλιπη η πιστις σου και συ ποτε επιστρεψας στηριξον τους αδελφους σου |
| Stephanus Textus Receptus | ||
| ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· λέγω σοι, Πέτρε, οὐ φωνήσει σήμερον ἀλέκτωρ ἕως τρίς με ἀπαρνήσῃ εἰδέναι | ο δε ειπεν λεγω σοι πετρε ου μη φωνησει σημερον αλεκτωρ πριν η τρις απαρνηση μη ειδεναι με | ο δε ειπεν λεγω σοι πετρε ου μη φωνηση σημερον αλεκτωρ πριν η τρις απαρνηση μη ειδεναι με |
1 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τοῖς preceding heaven. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.
2 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τοῖς preceding heaven. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.
3 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had διασκορπισθήσονται here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had διασκορπισθησεται (KJV: shall be scattered abroad).
4 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had και following if and preceding all (KJV: Though all). The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.
5 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had ἀπαρνήσομαι here, where the Byzantine Majority Text had απαρνησωμαι.
6 The Byzantine Majority Text had δε και here, where the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had simply και
7 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had εἶπαν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειπον
8 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had μαχαίρῃ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μαχαιρα.
9 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had πλείω here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πλειους.
10 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article η preceding twelve. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.
11 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had λεγιῶνας here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had λεγεωνας.
12 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὠτάριον here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ωτιον.
13 The Byzantine Majority Text had αυτων here. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.
14 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτον here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.
15 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: also) preceding This man. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.
16 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had μετὰ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μεθ.
17 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had καταθεματίζειν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had καταναθεματιζειν.
18 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτω (KJV: unto him) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.
19 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειπεν δε ο κυριος (KJV: And the Lord said) preceding Simon. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.
20 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had ἐκλίπῃ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had εκλειπη.
21 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had στήρισον here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had στηριξον.
22 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὐ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οὐ μη.
23 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had φωνήσει here, where the Byzantine Majority Text had φωνηση.
24 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἕως here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πριν η (KJV: before).
25 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μη preceding know. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.